return to Nashville before Buell can get half way there. The bridges are all destroyed and the roads rendered impassable. If Buell must move by land, why not direct him on Clarksville? I can do no more for Grant at present. I must stop the transports at Cairo to observe Beauregard. We are certainly in peril. Telegraph to General Hitchcock, officially informing him of his appointment, and assign him to duty in this department.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General

WASHINGTON, February 17-10.30 a.m.

Honorable THOMAS A. SCOTT,

Assistant Secretary of War, Saint Louis:

Please consult Buell about removing engines and cars from Kentucky Central to the Nashville Railway. He has my plans. Better at once have cars and engines altered for five-foot gauge.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN.

Major-General.

WASHINGTON, February 17, 1862-10.30 a.m.

Major-General HALLECK;

Please give me your reasons more fully for objecting to Buell's plan. Give facts on which your opinion is based.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN.

SAINT LOUIS, February 17, 1862-1 p.m.

Major-General McCLELLAN:

Make Buell, Grant, and Pope major-generals of volunteers, and give me command in the West. I ask this in return for Forts Henry and Donelson.

H. W. HALLECK.

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, February 17, 1862

Brigadier-General CULLUM, Cairo:

Stop all forces required to resist Beauregard.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, February -, 1862

Brigadier-General CULLUM, Cairo, Ill.:

Find contrabands, and put them at work to pay for food and clothing. I can get no communication with Buell.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.